Should a man sign an Affidavit of Parentage in Michigan? What if I am not certain if I’m the dad of the child, what can I do?

Should a man sign an Affidavit of Parentage in Michigan? What if I am not certain if I’m the dad of the child, what can I do?

What is an Affidavit of Parentage? An Affidavit of Parentage is a form signed by both unmarried parents that acknowledges, under the penalty of perjury, that they are the biological parents of a child. It is generally presented to the parents at the hospital after the child is born.

Should I sign the Affidavit of Parentage? A man should only sign an Affidavit of Parentage if he is absolutely, unequivocally (100%) sure that he is the biological father of the child.

If you are 100% certain that you are the biological father of the child, in signing the Affidavit of Parentage, you establish yourself as the child’s biological and legal father. Your name can now appear on the child’s birth certificate, and you have the ability to assert custody and parenting time rights in the family division of the appropriate circuit court, which is an important step as an executed Affidavit of Parentage provides the mother of the child with sole legal and physical custody.

What’s the big deal if I sign the Affidavit of Parentage?

In signing an Affidavit of Parentage, a man is agreeing to waive several important rights, including the right to genetic testing to scientifically determine whether or not he is the child’s biological father, and the right to a trial to determine if he is the biological father.

What if I mistakenly signed an Affidavit of Parentage?

Within a certain time frame of having mistakenly signed an Affidavit of Parentage, a man can file an action in the family division of the appropriate circuit court and request that the paternity distinction be revoked. This is an extremely complicated area of law that should only be navigated with the assistance of a highly experienced family law attorney. ​ Michigan’s Affidavit of Parentage can be found at: